Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A major port on the Pacific coast is
Puerto Caldera
, which you pass soon after leav-
ing Mata de Limón. There aren't any sights here, and the beach is unremarkable unless
you're a surfer, in which case there are a few good breaks to be had (though be careful, as
the beach is rocky in places).
Buses heading for the Caldera port depart hourly from the market in Puntarenas, and can
easily drop you off at any of the spots described here. If you're driving, the break at Boca
Barranca is located near the bridge on the Costanera Sur (South Coastal Hwy), while the
entrance to Playa Doña Ana and El Segundo is a little further south (look for a sign that
says 'Paradero Turístico Doña Ana'). The turnoff for Mata de Limón is about 5.5km south
of Playa Doña Ana.
Parque Nacional Carara
Situated at the mouth of the Río Tárcoles, this 52-sq-km park is only 50km southeast of
Puntarenas by road or about 90km west of San José via the Orotina highway. During our
last visit the visitor center visible from the road was a half-remodeled mess, though there
were murmurs of a renovation. A short paved trail begins at the
Carara ranger station
(3km south of Río Tárcoles; admission US$10; 7am-4pm Dec-Apr, 8am-4pm May-Nov)
, where
there are bathrooms, picnic tables and a short, wheelchair-accessible nature trail. Guides
can be hired here for US$25 per person (two-person minimum) for a two-hour hike.
The dry season from December to April is the easiest time to go, though the animals are
still there in the wet months. March and April are the driest months. Rainfall is almost
3000mm annually, which is less than in the rainforests further south. It's fairly hot, with
average temperatures of 25°C (77°F) to 28°C (82°F), but it's cooler within the rainforest.
An umbrella is important in the wet season and occasionally needed in the dry months.
Make sure you have insect repellent.
